After a lengthy day of mourning, hundreds of people soon gathered back at Kingston Castle for a ceremony of celebration. Not only would the lives lost be cherished and loved for the entire function, but the final and eternal victory over both Mewtwo and the Syndicate would be given the sendoff it deserved. More than a thousand people now frequented the halls of the Royal Castle, enjoying the company of their friends and Pokemon, sampling food and drink and simply taking some time to relax and relieve themselves of all of the stress of war and the reconstruction that would take place very soon after.
Throughout the halls of his cousin's castle, his arm now in a sling until his doctor appointment tomorrow, Matthew saw hundreds of people he had known all of his life and usually never given a thought to. Some several months ago, he would have gotten nothing but scorn and derision from these same people. But now, it was nothing but smiles, pats on the back and cheerful words. This was not something that he was used to, but was glad to have it over being alone. He had long ago underestimated the strength of friendship and unity and he would not do so again. And he was now surrounded not only by family and friends, but some of the most powerful and dominant Pokemon Trainers the world had ever seen. Whether it be the burly and boisterous Gonzap from the Orre Region, the steely yet friendly Steven Stone or even Lance himself, who emitted the sheer aura of power Matthew had only ever seen from Michael in his childhood, there was no way he could feel left out.
The Ballroom was filled with people dancing to a DJ's Music, which played all types of music based on request. While dozens of people danced the day away, even more people were simply sitting at tables and conversing. Iris of the Unova Region was boasting to Giselle about her powerful Dragon Pokemon, perhaps even alluding to the idea that she might be able to out muscle Giselle's mighty Haxorus. Wanting to avoid that likely simmering debate, he continued to the next table, where Rui and Jenna Kingston were helping Piper Pines pick out a wedding gown for her and Chris's "official" wedding ceremony. His mother was at the third table, filling out some sort of paperwork with the Queen and Annie. The fourth table he passed had an assortment of his friends, including Holly, Jeremy, Morgan, Dawn, Lucas, Amber, Dylan and Corey. The last person at the table, Tommy with the right side of his face still heavily bandaged, was still acting like the same carefree boy he had always been.
The fifth table he passed sat the King himself, Wes, Steven Stone and Alder, who simply listened on as both Diance and Katrina, two known Best Actress Award rivals for the last decade, debate the merits of their roles and their future in the Film Industry. Katrina would be boasting about being given a tremendous role in a Biographical Piece on Michael, who would repeatedly turn down his use in this film without his clear oversight on the production, something Matthew was sure that Katrina's boss, Wolfgang Delney, would never approve. Nevertheless, it did Matthew some good to see that his cousin had far less troublesome things on his plate for once and gave him a reassuring pat on the back.
The sixth table was where Annette and her brother Garret sat. Matthew cleared his throat and prepared to say something to her, but Annette sprinted away from the table the moment the two made eye contact. Matthew could only watch as she fled the scene. "What was that all about?"
"You saved my sister's life, kid" Garret responded bluntly.
"Of course I did" Matthew insisted. "I'm sure she'd do the same for me."
Garret snickered. "You have no idea."
Matthew's eyes lit up at this. "You mean...she said something about me?"
"Said something? You're all she'll talk about. It's like how the girls used to talk about the King in his prime." He took a sip of his wine and lowered the glass. "And here I thought you were going to be the lovesick one."
"Well, I uh-"
Garret's face remained unreadable. "Look, you proved yourself a trainer of exceptional skill during the Battle when we fought together. You proved yourself a finer person by taking a blow for my sister's behalf. And after speaking to the King, I get the feeling I know I can count on you to keep Annette well protected. We're all each other has, after all."
Matthew didn't feel he could respond, and only nodded. Is he giving me permission to ask Annette out?
"By the by, since I've got you here, I've got a favor to ask. Matt, do you think you could put a good word in for me with that other girl? You know, the one you freed from Mewtwo's power?"
"You mean Jocelyn?"
"So she's the daughter of Elezar Aced?"
"Yep." He kept his answers short. Though he was thankful that Garret did not see him as a danger to Annette, he had just gotten Jocelyn back into his life and he wasn't going to so easily let her go off with someone else. He definitely didn't love her the same way he had Addison or he did Annette, but the last thing he wanted was to lose her again.
Garret looked behind Matthew and sighed. "Well, well. I guess that my sister may have some competition."
Matthew turned to see where Garret had been glancing and went pale. Jasmine Augustine was coming over to see him. Her eyes fell on his arm in the sling and she shuddered. "What happened?"
"I got a taste of the hero life my brother enjoyed" Matthew replied jokingly. "And now I have intensive nerve damage."
"Why did you have to go and do something so reckless?"
Matthew shrugged. "Eh, Ryan made it look so easy."
Jasmine smiled faintly and took a seat beside Matthew. "Well, I'm glad you made it home in one piece."
Matthew remained nervous. He had a feeling why Jasmine sought him out, especially now that Addison's conflict with Mewtwo was coming to an end. The question was whether or not he was capable of letting her down without making her feel like he put her aside yet again for someone else. At least this time, it would be wholesome and honest. No attempts to use her or lead her on. She didn't deserve that. Not again. And least of all from him.
"Addison did it" she remarked, as if a weight was being lifted off her chest. "Thank Arceus. Arcana can finally be at peace."
"Yeah" he answered glumly. "Now, other things can come into focus."
The fair maiden echoed his sorrowful sentiment. "Speaking of 'other things', Matt, I need to talk to you about something."
"About what?"
"Do you remember what you told me? Back when we were at Titanio Park? About how much you cared about Addison?"
"That I needed to prioritize her while she needed me. And I kept up my end of the bargain." His eyes looked down at his arm in the sling. "In more ways than one."
"Well, considering that Mewtwo is gone and Addison doesn't need you anymore...well...I just wanted to wish you good luck wherever your life takes you."
Matthew did his best not to look shocked. "Huh?"
"I've been talking with my sister and considering I'm the only one who wants to truly go into Pokemon Contests, I'm going to do what Holly did and head off into the world and learn from the best. I may even ask for acting lessons from Katrina or Diance. But the one thing that matters to me is that I'll become more world renowned. I'll learn from Fantina in Sinnoh, May in Hoenn or contend with Serena in Kalos. I want to learn and see what I'm truly capable of. Then, when all of that is done, I'll come back home and compete in these Contests to become the greatest Contest Queen that Arcana has ever seen. There are lots of things I intend on doing when I've grown into a woman."
Matthew finally felt content giving her a smile. "Well, I'm glad you've got your life sorted out."
She shared a beaming one of her own. "I know you're probably going to be competing in the Pokemon League here. Maybe wanting to be Champion or serve in someone else's Elite Four. You got to journey with Jocelyn, but I know deep down that Arcana is your home. Which is why I'm not here asking you to come with me wherever I go. You belong here."
"As much as I may disagree with you about where my life is headed" Matthew noted, "I can't help but realize you're probably right. Arcana needs me. My Mom and sister need me. Jocelyn, the King, my friends. They all need me...and for once, it's not to fill in the void that my brother left behind. Once Michael reopens the Pokemon League, whenever that will be, that will be my primary focus. And who knows where things go from there."
"If I did ask you to come with me, would you say yes?"
Matthew frowned. "I don't know. I need to get the surgery to fix my arm and make sure Mom and Kayleigh are okay. I don't think I can worry about myself and my own needs for a while, Jasmine."
Jasmine's smile faded at this. "I don't understand. I thought you wanted to make it up to me. To have me give you another chance."
Matthew lowered his head. "I don't think I deserve one."
"How could you even say that?"
"Because whether you and I agree or not, I still hurt you. I used you. I treated you like dirt in a vain attempt to make Addison jealous. In the end, I hurt the both of you and will never forgive myself for that. It's why I rejected Addison when, in a moment of weakness, she tried to get me to love her. It's why I feel that I don't deserve her. And why you need to find someone who will treat you like the queen you deserve to be treated as. But that person isn't me, Jasmine. No matter how much I may have wanted it to be."
"You aren't that boy anymore. I know you and I could make it work."
"We hardly know anything about each other, Jasmine. About what we want out of life. Hell, I hardly know the answer to that, myself. I came back to Arcana with a few objectives and I completed them. Now, my story is set to truly begin and I don't know where it's going to take me." He looked at her earnestly. "If you and I go see the world together, how do we know that's the life we want to live? How do you know you won't find someone better for you than me out there? How will I know that I can take guys going gaga for you? Your life is taking you on an incredible journey, and I wish you nothing but the best. But our paths just don't center up anywhere, after this."
Jasmine's lips curled into a frown. "I see. I was hoping for a different answer." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "There's someone else, isn't there? Besides Addy?"
Matthew glanced over towards Garret, who was doing his best to pretend he was somewhere other than listening into this romantic yet awkward conversation. He realized he could not keep Jasmine in the dark forever. "There will be someone out there better for you than me. I know you'll find them. Maybe, when the time is right."
Jasmine let out a silent tear. "I don't want 'them'. I want you."
The music on the ballroom floor changed to something softer. It sounded like a more Pop version of the song they had first danced to all those years ago in this very ballroom at the Queen's Ball. Realizing this would be their last night together, Matthew rose to his feet and offered the girl his only functional hand. She looked up at him sorrowfully, but sighed to herself and took his hand. He led her out onto the dance floor, surrounded by other couples who were so engrossed in their love for one another that nothing else mattered. He put his arm around her as she put hers around him. The two moved as gently as a summer breeze in line with the song, but he could tell Jasmine was about to break into tears. He was about to say something, but she rested her head on his shoulder and shook her head.
"I just want you to smile, Matthew" she whispered. "To be happy. To have a smile as hopeful and optimistic as you could have had."
"I want the same for you, Jasmine" he assured her.
"I hope she makes you as giddy as Addison made your brother."
"And I hope whoever he is ends up giving you a palace to live in."
As the song came to it's conclusion, the two finally stopped moving and stared at one another. Jasmine took a clip out of her hair, a gemstone with which happened to be the same color as a Fire Stone. She then opened his hand and placed it onto his fingers. "I got this...you know, back when we first met. I want you to remember me, with it." She took a deep breath. "I will come back to Arcana. A strong, determined and fiercely more confident woman. And I'm sure if the time ever comes, I'd love to see what kind of man you've become, Matthew."
Matthew stared at the clip and lowered it into his pocket and smiled faintly at her. He, in turn, reached into his pocket and handed Jasmine something else in exchange. "This is the Poke Ball that used to house Shaymin. And I want you to have it, to remember me." He grasped her hand for a minute. "Goodbye, Jasmine."
She sighed and put her hand up to his cheek. "Goodbye, Matthew." She leaned up and kissed him, before she departed from the ballroom.
Matthew could only watch her disappear from sight with both a content smile and a broken heart. He had chosen his path. She was walking hers as they spoke. If he was unable to woo Annette, this decision could haunt him for a long time. But, that was the way of things. Not everyone got their Happily Ever After. And why would Arceus think he deserved one?
He noticed Jocelyn making her way off the ballroom floor and towards the antechamber, resolved to follow her. When she noticed him coming after her, she smiled and patted on the bench for him to sit beside her. Matthew did as she instructed and the two sat there in blissful peace.
"It's finally over" Matthew remarked.
"Yep" she replied.
"I never thought it would end."
"All things end, Matty. You just don't get to see the outcome until it's too late."
"I guess we'll have to blindly figure out what happens next, too?"
She giggled. "Well, considering how much progress you made while I was busy being a lawn ornament, I think it will be another adventure for you."
"I really didn't make much progress without you."
"Are you kidding? Matthew, it took me months to get you to even consider the idea that you might have made a mistake doing some of the things you did. But looking at you now, you're a completely different person. You made your peace with Ryan, Addison, Holly, Jasmine, Michael and so many others. I'm not sure you would have done that if I was there coaching you. You needed to see that, on your own, you were capable of making the necessary changes. And while it wasn't an easy road, you made it yours all the same."
Matthew laughed. "The only reason I made as much progress as I did was thinking about you. You and my Mom were the focal points for me. Once I got Mom back, Addy needed me so I helped her. But I really wished I had you in some places."
"You're no longer that boy with pent up aggression anymore. And I am so proud of you. More than words can admit." She pinched his cheek as only he would allow her to. "Which means...you don't need me anymore."
Matthew went white. "What? Of course I-"
"I took care of you when you needed me to. I helped you become a better person. And you've far exceeded my expectations of the man I hoped you'd be. Now, with your journey set to begin soon, it's time I found my own way in the world." She smiled sadly. "I'm the last Aced in the entire world. Unless my kids take on my last name, an entire historical dynasty of Arcana will die when I do. All because my father was too stubborn to accept his world for what it was and improve it. And I need to now figure out where I'm destined to be. Who knows where life will take me?"
"You don't have to go anywhere!" Matthew insisted. "You can stay here! I...uh...oh, curse that wretched Ryan for making me be the hero! All I want to be is the best, and-"
She shook her head. "You can't fool me, Matt. That bad guy dialogue is so out of fashion with you." Seeing how distressed he was, she picked his head up and let him lean on her. "Don't think that me leaving is any indication of how I don't care. Matt, you're my family. The only family I truly have in this miserable world. You're that annoying little brother I always wanted." She hugged the boy tightly beside her. "And I will always love you, kiddo. But I need to figure out just what this world has in store for me." She tussled his hair and kissed the top of his head before rising from the bench.
Matthew desperately grabbed at her hand. "But what if-"
"What if the sky turns to fire and your nose falls off?" she teased. "Nothing like that will happen. We'll keep in touch, Matt. But we both have our own-"
The doors opened and Alison Kingston entered. "Oh, oh my. I'm sorry for intruding."
Jocelyn slipped her hand out of Alison's sons and she bowed respectfully. "Lady Kingston. It's an honor to meet you in the flesh."
"The pleasure is mine" Alison responded. "You've saved both of my sons. Ryan from perils and dangers and my Matthew from his own demons. I have a family now, because you did some incredible things and saved it. I owe it all to you, Jocelyn."
Jocelyn nodded politely. "Ryan and Matthew both helped me in their own ways, so I like to think we evened up our scores." She saw how crushed Matthew was by her decision to leave, but she remained steadfast in her resolve. "Matthew doesn't need a babysitter anymore. I think you've raised quite an upstanding son, Lady Alison." She prepared to walk past Alison, but to Matthew's surprise, his mother blocked her.
"I'd like to offer you this, Jocelyn" she explained nervously, handing Jocelyn an envelope with the Royal Seal keeping it tightly closed. "On behalf of the entire Kingston Family for your services."
Jocelyn opened up the envelope and read the contents, her face showing a range of emotions that changed by the paragraph. From confusion, to shock, to delight, back down to confusion. "Hold on, I thought our fortune was ruined when my father-"
"These agreements were put in place before your grandfather's death" Alison explained. "Balthazar Aced left you a considerable amount of money in his will, having it amended when he found out he indeed had a granddaughter. Money that Elezar could not touch without his consent. It's enough to set you up as one of the wealthiest people in Arcana. Not exactly Kingston wealth, but yours will definitely put Claude's to shame, kind of ironic considering he was the one who set this up with Balthazar."
Jocelyn was deeply confused. "So, I have how much money?"
"Forty seven million Poke Dollars. However, there is a catch."
"What kind of catch?" Jocelyn asked nervously.
"Mom?" Matthew wondered.
"Unfortunately, this kind of trust fund cannot be activated until you turn 25 years old. So, you'll have to wait seven years before you can call upon it." To alleviate both her concerned son and Jocelyn, she soothed their nerves. "Don't fret, Jocelyn. The King and Queen have arranged something for you until then. A job, here in Arcana. You will serve on the King's Council alongside Warren Tenton, Rebecca Eighern, Garret Fiveroux, Elmont Queensbury and Christopher as interim Champion. Caitlin Setenn is going back to Hoenn, so they need someone else to fill up this Council Role." She then leaned down and kissed her son's head. "And while you're serving on the King's Council, Jocelyn, we've decided you will be staying with us in Parlor Town."
Matthew was ecstatic. "SHE'S STAYING?!"
"Only if she wants to" Alison corrected her son. "It's her choice."
Jocelyn looked from Alison to Matthew and sighed in defeat. "Very well. I accept."
"You mean, you'll stay?"
She patted Matthew on the head. "We are family, after all. I suppose I can help pay back the Kingston Family for my freedom by keeping an eye on little Kayleigh, as well as the Prince and Princess." She eyed Alison proudly. "But I want to be able to live my own life. While I appreciate you all looking out for me, I don't want to spend all my time focusing on Court Life."
Alison smiled. "Of course. The only court dealings you'll have to deal with is being on the King's Council."
"Then I accept."
Alison hugged Jocelyn happily and then pulled away. "Excellent. We'll set up a room for you back home over the next few days. And I'll inform the King and Queen of your decision." She made her way for the door and opened it, only to bump right into Garret Fiveroux. "Oh, forgive me, sir." She then slipped past him as Garret entered the room.
"I figured I should let you know that my sister is doing her best to collect herself and come back" he laughed, "but I doubt it will be to speak to you, Matt. She's a bit on the shy side." He locked eyes with Jocelyn and bowed to her. "Milady. Rumor has it you'll be joining the King's Council alongside us."
Jocelyn folded her arms. "And if I am?"
"It would be my honor to celebrate your new position with a dance" he offered, extending his arm to her.
Jocelyn glanced back at Matthew, who subtly nudged her forward. She sighed and winked down at the boy before letting Garret take her arm and lead her back into the ballroom. Matthew snickered as they disappeared, before realizing that if something happened between Garret and Jocelyn before him and Annette, nothing might ever happen between them. Panicking, he rose from the bench and vowed to make his feelings towards Annette clear before it was too late. He bolted through the door and began his hunt for the red-haired maiden.
{}
While the party took place within the halls of Kingston Castle and her parents rekindled their romance by dancing the day away, Addison remained alone in Lady Bonnie's gardens. She had been through a great deal in the last several months. She could not remember the last time her only worry had been about being in the Queen of Arcana contests. It had been her dream to succeed her mother in that front and surpass Piper in her choreography, her beauty and her eloquence. One day, she might have been able to rule over Arcana alongside Ryan as Pokemon Champion. It had been a secret desire of hers.
But the world had changed so much since then. She had trained under Michael to become a better battler, she had struggled with the emotional and physical turmoil she endured on Mirage Island, she had lost both of her parents for a time, her father physically and her mother emotionally. She had been forced to take part in a war to reclaim her home region from Claude. She had lost Ryan, gotten him back and lost him again, only to say what might very well have been the final goodbye when she parted ways with him on the Island. She had discovered an inner talent she had for communicating with Pokemon, a rare gift so few had. But the greatest gift of all was her discovery of her role as the White Mage. The heroine destined to destroy Mewtwo and save the world. She had trained under Countess Rosemary, clearing her mind of all distractions to focus squarely on the moment at hand. She had regained her friendship with Matthew and evolved them with Galatea, Holly and others. And she had done as her destiny bid. Mewtwo was gone, his evil never again to haunt her.
But the price she and the rest of Arcana had been forced to pay was steep. Arcana, a once prosperous and beautiful region, was in ruins. It needed to be restored to it's former glory. The Pokemon League, crippled by the loss of Ryan and Cameron, would need to be remade. So many things and people would need to rebuild their entire lives basically from scratch. And she was unsure if it could all be done. So much bad blood had been unearthed thanks to the Syndicate. Was there a reason to have hope?
Through her wandering in the garden, she came across the mausoleum where the greatest Kingstons had all been buried for the last several generations. This sacred dome held within it the bodies of James Kingston, his wife Lady Bonnie and James's two deceased siblings: Roderick and Rosemary. One day, hopefully not one soon, it would house the bodies of the first King and Queen Arcana had seen in centuries in Michael and Julia. But for now, Addison was there to say her final farewells to her mentor. The powerful sage-like woman who had helped her discover her inner strength and gotten her to believe in herself. The Countess of Magenta Grove had left Magenta Castle to her as the new leader of the White Guardians. In essence, Addison now held the titles and privileges of a Countess herself, but she would gladly give all of it up to get a piece of her life back from before.
She knelt down in front of the Mausoleum and let her hand fall over her heart. "Countess. I just wanted to thank you. For everything you've done. And also, for the things you didn't do. You knew what needed to happen and fought off the temptation to make changes to history." She smiled sadly as she recalled how she and Lucas had singlehandedly defied a law of nature to save the day. "I wasn't so careful. But, I hope what I did in the end was what we needed to do." She took up a flower she had picked from Bonnie's garden and placed it at the entrance of the building. "I will miss you and all that you taught me."
You should have always known that I would be with you, child.
Addison blinked and looked around for the source of the voice. "Countess? Is that you?"
Of course it is, my dear. Who else would be speaking to you from beyond?
Addison sighed. "I should have been so lucky. After all I've lost..."
Such is the way of life, Addison. We are born, we live, we grow old and we die. Such is the nature of it all. But one thing I can assure you, is that while those who are gone are truly missed, they would not change their fates if it meant they avoided their destinies. You chose the same by deciding to take part in the battle instead of hiding in the Iron Caverns.
"So many people are gone. Their Pokemon, too."
This is the Circle of Life doing what it does best. Spinning on, ceaselessly. Alas, not everyone makes it to the end together.
Addison frowned. "But it's over. Mewtwo is gone and the world can begin to heal."
Over? Addison, my dear, this story is most certainly not over.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Well, it's only over if you want it to be. After all, you are the White Mage, after all. You succeeded in defeating Mewtwo and bringing about the dawn of a new age in Arcana. So it is your choice whether or not your journey is over. But it would be impolite of me not to remind you of something you have missed, Addison. For there is one last prophecy you have neglected to complete.
"But they all came to pass" she reasoned. "Michael is King. I became the Mage and the Twelve Truths happened."
You have forgotten the final lines of the Third Prophecy. The White Mage's.
"Does it really matter?"
I beg your pardon?
"Does this Prophecy truly matter in the long run? Or can we just put it aside for a bit?"
Oh, well, I thought you would want to keep your promise to Ryan. But if your heart is pulling you in another direction...
Addison's eyes widened. "Wait. What? Ryan?"
The last lines of the Prophecy read as such: The bonds of mind and heart, Make this Child's Dreams Soar. As even when darkness shrouds, Their Love Will Open the Door. You swore to yourself and to the memory of Ryan that you would find a way to find him and bring him home, did you not? This is what the final lines of the Prophecy refer to.
"You mean...I'm gonna be able to-"
However, the path forward is entirely in your hands. Should you succeed or fail entirely rests on your efforts to make this reality. I'm afraid that I nor any living member of the White Guardians knows for sure what this "door" is or how to open it. Nor do I think that Rupert the White wrote about it in his tomes. This quest will be completely yours, be it successful or end in the unfortunate realization that restoring him to your side is all but impossible. And yet, I am certain if there is anyone capable of overcoming nearly impossible odds to reach where she wants to be, that person would be you, Addison.
Addison felt a bit rejuvenated by this news, even if her head was warning her that what she wanted was indeed almost incapable of happening. "Where would I begin?"
I cannot imagine where you would begin. Perhaps if you broaden your horizons and learn from others, you might find the answers you're looking for.
"I see. Thank you, Countess." She hoped for a response about feeling more wisdom or unlocking more inner potential, but Rosemary's voice no longer spoke to her, if it had ever even done so. She took a deep breath and looked back towards Kingston Castle. "I guess there's only one place to truly start: the Library."
{}
After spending several long moments wondering where she had gone off to, Michael found his old friend Cynthia sitting alone on a bench inside his grandmother's gardens. Judging from the look on her face, she looked as sorrowful and forlorn as he had ever remembered her being. Knowing he had to do something to cheer her up, he made his way over to her side. She did not notice him immediately, but she did move over on the bench so he could sit beside her if he wanted.
"This is the first time I've seen you in such deep thought without a bowl of Coco Pina Bliss in your hands" he joked.
"For the first time in a very long time, I don't think I'm in the mood for ice cream" she admitted. She let out a sigh and looked up at the skies. "So much has changed since I left Sinnoh and came here. I'm beginning to wonder things about my life I thought I'd already answered. Why am I here? What am I supposed to do with my life? Discover new Pokemon or rediscover old ones? Defend Sinnoh from the forces of evil? Become a Pokemon Master? I've tried so many things, but I still don't feel satisfied with any of it."
"You've got plenty of time. You'll figure something out."
"Considering how easily life can be snatched away, I don't feel as confident that I have time. Look at Cameron. She didn't figure anything out until the last few moments of her life."
"I disagree. She found a purpose in her life. She chose to make sure the people she loves kept going on. That includes you."
"And yet she's gone and here I am, more confused about what life has in store for me than ever before."
"This gives you the opportunity to figure things out though, Cee. Maybe you will find your purpose. Maybe you won't. Maybe you already have your purpose, but it just can't be seen by the naked eye." He put his hand on her shoulder. "What does matter more than anything, though, is that the path is out there for you. All you need to do is find it."
Cynthia smiled slightly. "You don't let anyone feel down when you're around them, do you?"
"Very rarely. No one misses Cam more than Chris and I. But I don't think she'd want us to sit around and mope over her forever. Life moves on. So does pain. You never get over it, but you're able to better manage it. So, rather than feel completely distraught that she's gone, I think instead of the good memories I have of her. That helps me carry through what needs to be done."
"The one thing I know for sure is that I know that deep down in my heart, I'd be half the person that I am now if it weren't for you and her." She did her best to try and take her mind off of her doubts with memories. "Do you remember how obsessed with you I used to be when we first met?"
"Half the time I figured you were just an extreme introvert like Lizzie or something" Michael teased. "The other half of the time, I kinda figured you had some kind of crush on me."
"A girl never forgets her first" she laughed. "Her first Pokemon, her first Ice Cream, her first battle." She let her long, blonde hair flow behind her in the breeze. "Or her first crush. I followed you everywhere you went. I wondered why you didn't go and challenge Sinnoh's Gyms considering how strong you were. I noticed how much you cared for your Pokemon. I knew, even as a little girl, you were someone special that I needed to be friends with. But I think I went a little too overboard."
Michael shrugged. "I was oblivious for the most part."
"I used to wait by the door, wherever you went, just to make sure nothing happened" she nervously admitted.
"Used every excuse imaginable to follow Gabriel and I, even up the slopes of Mt. Coronet."
"And every opportunity I could to hold your hand or just stand beside you." She sighed. "But then again, I don't think we'd be the people we are now if anything had happened. No matter how much I tried to get you to notice me, you just looked away. But it was probably for the best. When I heard you stuffed Giselle and became Arcana's Champion, I knew my time had to come sooner or later, which it did. Even when I found out you had discovered feelings for Julia, I kept wanting to show you how strong I was, even just to know that I was standing tall beside you."
"You certainly became a force to be reckoned with" Michael assured her. "If I didn't have the Crimson Fury, I don't think I'd have beaten you."
"And now, here we are. You, a King and father of three children with another on the way, a husband to a devoted wife and a leader that everyone in Arcana follows. Me? I'm just Sinnoh's Champion."
"You also helped save Arcana and the world. Don't forget that."
"And here I wonder the most important question, Michael." She turned to him and stared at him with great intensity. "Where do I go from here?"
"I don't think I know the answer to that" he admitted. "But you know you can always find a place here with us."
She rose from the bench. "I know. And I am grateful to know you and have your friendship. More than you'll ever know." She reached down and pulled her friend to his feet. "But this may be something I have to figure out on my own. Just like you did." She then patted him on the cheek before releasing his hand and walking off towards the castle to be alone once more.
Michael was about to follow her, when he noticed Addison making her own way back there from the gardens. "Addy?"
Addison looked over to him and smiled, curtsying politely. "Your Grace?"
"Why aren't you celebrating with everyone else?"
The White Mage simply shook her head. "I can't celebrate yet. My story isn't done yet. And neither is my duty."
"What else do you think you have to do?"
"The most important thing yet, Michael. Bring Ryan home." With that, Addison walked right past him and followed Cynthia back into the Castle.